Face lathering technique w/ Cream .. smear a thin layer on your face

**masonjarjar** · 03-08-2012, 07:12 AM

Does anyone do this? I have a tiny bit left of a Trumper Limes sample so today, instead of building the lather in a bowl like I normally do, I smeared a thin layer all over my face, and proceeded to "face lather" much like I would, say, if I rubbed a shave stick all over my face. I have to say the results were outstanding. Shave is closer than normal, even the difficult parts of my lower neck, and I have less irritation. I think I'm going to experiment with this technique further.. (I've face lathered with cream before, but always by putting the product directly on the brush, not my face)

**Radium** · 03-08-2012, 07:54 AM

Yes, I moisten my face with water and then apply my shaving cream directly and it goes on nice and smooth on my face due to the prewet treatment and lathers up nicely while face lathering. 　

**BrianL** · 03-08-2012, 08:01 AM

I will do this from time to time, not really thinking about it. I always face lather and found that it works well. I think that I use less product by putting the cream on my face first, I will have to pay more attention.

**neomech** · 03-08-2012, 08:22 AM

This is a silly noob question, I know, but most of you "face lather" using a brush still, correct? I don't own a brush so I'm lathering my cream in my hands just by rubbing them together and then smearing the resulting foam on my face. I get the idea I'm doing it wrong ;)

**Mr. Scruffy** · 03-08-2012, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by neomech

This is a silly noob question, I know, but most of you "face lather" using a brush still, correct? I don't own a brush so I'm lathering my cream in my hands just by rubbing them together and then smearing the resulting foam on my face. I get the idea I'm doing it wrong ;)

That is correct, we face lather with the use of a brush. When I first started out with my first tube of C.O. Bigelow I would rub the cream on my face with my fingers to create lather. Worked pretty well!

**Wildalaska** · 03-08-2012, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by neomech

This is a silly noob question, I know, but most of you "face lather" using a brush still, correct? I don't own a brush so I'm lathering my cream in my hands just by rubbing them together and then smearing the resulting foam on my face. I get the idea I'm doing it wrong ;)

If ya want to do it that way (it seems to work OK with lower priced or lower end creams better than say the T&H or Trumpers line) schmear a bit on each cheek and do the rubbing on your face. I do that whilst traveling.

As to the original question, face lathering works well either with product on brush or on face. It is far superior to bowl lathering

**TallyShave** · 03-08-2012, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by BrianL

I will do this from time to time, not really thinking about it. I always face lather and found that it works well. I think that I use less product by putting the cream on my face first, I will have to pay more attention.

Same here except I always feel like I use a little more product. I think it is because I end up with a little left on my fingers that I wash down the drain whereas when I put it directly to the brush, it all gets used. Not enough to worry about. I like using both methods.

**Luc** · 03-08-2012, 09:48 AM

This technique is also known as Superlather face lathering.

**stonehenge** · 03-08-2012, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Luc

This technique is also known as Superlather face lathering.

I have found that a good shaving cream in a can preceded by a layer of shaving gel worked into my beard gives me a shave comparable with or even better than the best mug shaves. So now my Super Badger brush just sits because I don't use it anymore. The two stage approach, with the gel on the bottom layer and a good rich shaving cream is important though.

**kevinm** · 03-09-2012, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by neomech

This is a silly noob question, I know, but most of you "face lather" using a brush still, correct? I don't own a brush so I'm lathering my cream in my hands just by rubbing them together and then smearing the resulting foam on my face. I get the idea I'm doing it wrong ;)

Not a silly question... The downside of doing it this way is that you likely won't be able to develop the lather that you can with a brush, and you'll inevitably use more cream than if you used a brush.

**turtle** · 03-09-2012, 05:58 AM

Yep, done this in a pinch. There are some creams that are sold as brushless but most all can be lathered by hand for an acceptable shave

**masonjarjar** · 03-09-2012, 07:01 AM

Today it was TRSC Moisturizing, using the same technique, thin layer of cream & face lather w/ Brush, followed up only with CO Bigelow #1200 Balm. Outstanding results again..

**jtb** · 03-09-2012, 07:37 AM

I'm mostly a soap guy, but when I use a cream that's exactly what I do. spread a very thin layer over my beard, then build the lather with a brush.

Works great for me.

**BrianL** · 03-09-2012, 08:10 AM

Today, I took out my tube of Proraso and squeezed a small line on my face and lathered up with a wet brush. I definately used less product than I do when I put the cream on the brush. It was a good 3 pass shave and I had enough lather left over to do 3 more passes if needed.

**bladebuff** · 03-09-2012, 08:46 AM

Works well for me on some creams but I usually lather most in my palm which seems to work the best. Once the brush is loaded up I spread what's in my palm on my face and then use the brush. Rubbing in the lather with the fingers really helps put down a good layer on the face which improves the shave in my opinion.

**shmeegs** · 03-09-2012, 09:44 AM

I usually put the cream directly into the center of the brush. Saves time and makes a better lather in my opinion.

**neomech** · 03-09-2012, 04:54 PM

Can someone explain why a big frothy lather is more effective? I don't get the logic of it. Using hypothetical numbers, if I have 1mm of hair growth, covered with 1mm of cream just from smearing it around my face, and then whip that same amount of cream up so it's 10cm high on my face, I end up with 90% of the cream no longer being in contact with my face or hair. How is that better?

I'm not saying it doesn't make sense, I'm just looking to understand how a big lather improves the performance of the cream.

**kevinm** · 03-09-2012, 05:02 PM

I don't think a big frothy lather is effective at all. What's effective is mixing the cream with a certain amount of water to create a creamy emulsion that is more lubricating than the dense sticky cream alone.

**bluesbishop** · 03-09-2012, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by shmeegs

I usually put the cream directly into the center of the brush. Saves time and makes a better lather in my opinion.

+1 exactly what I do when I face lather

**Wildalaska** · 03-09-2012, 08:06 PM

You can sucessfully face lather either way, ie either by cream on brush first or cream on face first. Either way will make a great lather. I generally put the cream on the brush.